Posted on: June 19, 2026, 01:27h.
Last updated on: June 19, 2026, 01:27h.
- Former Iona basketball standout Adam Njie Jr. has been permanently ruled ineligible by the NCAA after admitting to sharing inside information with sports bettors
- Njie transferred to Dayton and later Hampton during the investigation
- Hampton says it plans to seek his reinstatement despite the NCAA’s lifetime ban
A former star basketball player for the Iona Gaels has played his last college basketball game after the NCAA permanently revoked his playing privileges due to a sports betting scandal.
Adam Njie Jr. is a Bronx native who always dreamt of playing college basketball. He enrolled at Iona University, a Division I school in the Atlantic Athletic Conference, and his 2024-25 freshman campaign was a breakout season for the 6’3″ guard.
Njie started as a freshman, averaging more than 12 points and four assists a game. But it was what Njie did off the court that caused him the most headlines.
Sports Betting Scandal
A years-long investigation has concluded that Njie tipped off sports bettors while playing at Iona.
In one instance, Njie admitted to telling bettors, who would put $15,500 on the game, that he would throw the first half and make sure Iona wouldn’t cover the point spread. Njie said he got cold feet and didn’t go through with tossing the first half.
The bettors reportedly threatened him with physical harm, prompting Njie to say he would tip the next game. Again, Njie got cold feet and decided not to purposely lose.
The NCAA, which was tipped off to the suspicious betting by the Mississippi Gaming Commission, which is where the wagers were made, launched an investigation and determined that Njie was the rogue insider.
The act of sharing information with a bettor is prohibited by NCAA legislation and is treated the same as point shaving from an NCAA enforcement perspective, regardless of whether the student-athlete goes through with throwing the game,” the NCAA said in a statement.
The NCAA added that Njie agreed to become “permanently ineligible.
“Although the Committee on Infractions does not currently assess penalties for student-athletes who violate NCAA rules, their participation in violations is not without consequence. Student-athletes who are found to have violated NCAA rules are ineligible and can be reinstated only with the assistance of an NCAA school,” the release added.
After his freshman season, Njie transferred from the private Catholic university in Upstate New York to the Dayton Flyers program in Ohio. He was benched after Dayton officials learned from the NCAA that he was under investigation.
Njie has since transferred to Hampton University in Virginia. Hampton says it’s initiating the reinstatement process for Njie.
‘Loyal,’ ‘Impactful’ Leader
The Iona biography page for Njie says he’s “recognized as a loyal and impactful player by his high school coach, praised for his toughness, playmaking ability, and leadership.”
His favorite sports memory, Njie wrote, was “getting my first Division I offer.” As for his post-college plans, his career goal is to go to the NBA and become the “first millionaire in my family.”
